Study finds 51% of managers are disengaged

A new study of 7272 working-age adults has revealed that around half of all workers are unhappy in their jobs.

According to the survey, conducted by Gallup, half of all employees in the US have quit their jobs at some point in their career to get away from their boss.

It was also revealed that managers are also often unhappy; just 35% of managers said that they were engaged at work, while 14% admitted to actively switching off at work. Fifty-one per cent said that they were disengaged.

“I'm continually surprised at these numbers – they're a lot lower than they need to be,” said Jim Harter, Gallup's chief scientist of workplace management and well-being. “When managers aren't engaged, it affects their employees, which in turn affects productivity, whether people stay or leave, how often they're absent, and then ultimately productivity.”

He added that considering how much time is spent in the workplace, the results could suggest that work could take a toll on wellbeing.

A 2007 study found that stress at work increases the likelihood of developing depression, anxiety and obesity – and when the cause is a colleague, the likelihood of resignation skyrockets.